Former Wee Waa Panthers junior stars in big win during round one of the 2026 NRL season

Round one of the NRL’s 2026 campaign is now complete after six games were contested from Thursday through to Sunday following the Las Vegas openers a week earlier, and a former Wee Waa Panthers junior produced arguably the most eye-catching performance during his side’s destructive victory.

Braydon Trindall played a part in almost every try his side scored as the talented five-eighth helped guide the Cronulla Sharks to a 50-10 drubbing of the Gold Coast Titans at Ocean Protect Stadium, formerly and more commonly known as Shark Park.

The hosts went into the sheds at half-time with a 34-0 lead following a rampant first-half effort that was inspired by Trindall as the former Wee Waa boy crossed for two tries, set up three more, made one line break and kicked for 189 metres, all while sporting a new look with a shaved-bald head that also had tongues wagging.

He continued to dazzle in the second stanza as he set up one more try, secured a forced dropout and also slotted a 40/20 for good measure, while finishing the contest with 360 kick metres.

His performance drew praise from coach Craig Fitzgibbon as well as teammates, fans, analysts, commentators, and many on social media, with many wondering if a solid halves partnership with former Dally M Medallist winner Nicho Hynes can finally get them over the hump and into the grand final in 2026.

For Trindall himself though, he was not looking too far ahead after full-time as he soaked up the atmosphere following the 40-point win in front of a loud home crowd to start the season.

“It was awesome,” he told Yvonne Sampson during his post-match interview with Fox Sports.

“It’s good to be back here in front of all our fans. We worked hard in the off-season, and it’s good to put in a good performance.

“I think I was most impressed with our defence in that first 20 (minutes). The boys went after it and made a bit of a statement, so it was good to see.”

NRL great and Fox Sports analyst Cooper Cronk said he thought Trindall ‘put on a clinic’ and commended his partnership with Hynes.

“We have been working really well together the last couple of years, and I think we came into pre-season in some good condition,” Trindall replied.

“We got straight to work on our combo and it’s good to know where we’re at.”

Next up for Cronulla is a road trip to Bathurst’s Carrington Park for a blockbuster round two clash with the Penrith Panthers this Saturday night.

The Panthers blew the 2025 premiers off the park last Friday as they took down the Brisbane Broncos 26-0, and Trindall and his teammates will be looking to become the first team to score points and earn a win against Ivan Cleary’s men in 2026.